Ngunut Station Sustains Mobility Between Blitar and Tulungagung

Every railway station tells a story of community mobility. Behind its modest structure, a station becomes a meeting point for history, economic activity, and the ongoing journeys of residents. Ngunut Station is a key node on the eastern side of Tulungagung Regency. This class 2 station, located in the Operational Area 7, serves the Ngunut sub-district and supports residents travelling to Tulungagung, Blitar, Kediri, Malang, Surabaya, and even Jakarta. Historically, the station’s existence is linked to the development of the Blitar–Tulungagung–Kediri railway line, a crucial network connecting residential centres, trade, agriculture, and community activities in southern East Java. KAI’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that Ngunut Station plays a role closely tied to the daily lives of residents. It serves customers travelling for work, school, trade, accessing public services, visiting family, and continuing journeys to other cities. “Ngunut Station shows how rail remains an important part of regional mobility. Its presence helps residents reach educational centres, workplaces, markets, healthcare services, and other cities with scheduled and affordable travel,” Anne said. According to KAI data, 5,248 passengers boarded at Ngunut Station between January and May 2026, a 12.47% increase from 4,666 passengers in the same period of 2025. Passenger arrivals reached 4,487, growing 10.87% from 4,047 the previous year. Total passenger movements hit 9,735, an 11.73% rise from 8,713 in the comparable 2025 period. This growth indicates the station’s services remain a preferred choice for daily and intercity mobility. The station’s role is reinforced by Ngunut’s large population and economic activity. According to BPS data, the sub-district comprises 18 villages with around 85,000 residents. The composition of the population, settlement density, trade activity, and distribution of educational and health facilities sustain the demand for public transport. Ngunut is also known as an economic centre in eastern Tulungagung. The station’s proximity to Pasar Rakyat Ngunut, shopping areas, banking services, and health facilities integrates rail into the community’s mobility ecosystem. Beyond trade, the area is supported by agriculture, small businesses, household industries, and production centres. Rail connectivity helps residents access job opportunities, education, urban services, and regional economic centres without relying solely on private vehicles. To meet these needs, Ngunut Station serves several long-distance and local train services, including the Brantas, Singasari, and Matarmaja trains, as well as the Dhoho and Penataran Commuter Lines for regional mobility. “For the people of Ngunut, the station is access to broader opportunities. From here, residents can go to work, pursue education, conduct trade, and maintain family connections across cities. That is why KAI continues to maintain services at regional stations so the benefits of rail can be felt more widely,” Anne said. Rail access also opens up tourism potential around eastern Tulungagung. Passengers can use Ngunut Station as a gateway to destinations such as Ranu Gumbolo, Puncak Jowin, the culinary area around Pasar Ngunut, and various other attractions in Tulungagung and Blitar. KAI encourages customers to plan their journeys through official channels, including the Access by KAI application, and to check schedules before departure. With well-maintained services, Ngunut Station is expected to remain a safe, comfortable, and beneficial link for communities in Blitar, Tulungagung, and surrounding areas.